Covered Every Blade Of Grass

Youth Team Coach Brett Adams was pleased with the level of performance at the weekend...

Youth Team Coach Brett Adams was pleased with the level of performance by the Youth Team that narrowly lost to Peterborough United at the weekend 1-0.

It was another tough test for the young Magpies, but they more than matched them throughout the game.

Adams told the Official Site: “It was another good game for us against Championship opposition. Most of the sides we’ve faced this summer have attained or are in the process of attaining category one or two status, which means it’s big business. For us as a smaller academy with big intentions we have more than matched them, which is pleasing.

“Obviously we have made mistakes which we hope to eradicate at the start of the league campaign. But as I have said previously our lads have just come out of school and they can only learn from these mistakes, which will help them in the long run to develop into footballers.

“The goal was deflected as we tried to block the shot, unfortunately looping over our keeper, other than that there wasn’t much else in it.

“I was massively pleased with how we approached the game. We worked all week on keeping the ball, playing the ball through midfield and building up play, rather than hoofing the ball. We did that and worked hard, covered every blade of grass."

The side also gave three Under 16s a chance to see what they can do, which can only aid their development. The youth team have one more friendly before they play Hull City on Saturday to start their league campaign.

Supporters can watch the side face South Notts College on Tuesday 7 August for a 11am kick-off. The game will be played at the same venue as the Ilkeston match previously.

Adams added: “It will be a good game. They will pose a threat. A majority of their side will include players that have just missed out on joining an academy, so they will be looking to impress.

“For us it’s not about the result, it’s about how we play and how we use the system that we have in place.”